Thread: paper piecing

oh dear.... I shouldn't have stopped by today to see what is going on here... I must clean and do washing aaaaaand do up some strawberry jelly so the berries don't go bad. And now that I was here.. I keep hearing the sewing machine calling with...just a minute or two won't hurt will it???? :( :( maybe it I hurry faster I still can have time to play.... see ya folks later!!!! :D

Thanks to those of you who left compliments! That makes my day!

You know, if you really want to start simple, try taking some draft paper (just a few dollars at Walmart), and drawing out a flying geese block, using a ruler and the lines. Every square is 1/4 of an inch, so it makes it really easy to make geese the exact size you need for a project. Anyhow, draw your goose, then try paper piecing it. Every line is a seam. What I do, is bold the lines with a sharpie, and hold up my paper to the window or a lamp, so I can see the lines better. Mark the color/fabric your going to use for each patch piece on the paper. Just remember, when holding your fabric, behind the paper, remember that whatever fabric is touching the paper needs to cover the patch area and have enough allowance for your seams...whatever is not touching paper, is going to be folded open after you sew, so make sure it will cover the next patch piece. I often allow more than I need, and trim down after I've sewn the seam. It's a really easy way to get the hang of it. That's how I started getting my Mom into paper piecing, she wanted perfect geese and was having a hard time.

Also, the wishing star from my wall hanging, came from the book "Paper Piece the Quick-Strip Way" by Peggy Martin. If you're pretty confident matching up your seams/points, it's another fairly easy block to make. It gets a little trickier when you add curves or lots of pieces, but it's totally doable, even as a beginner. Paper piece!!! It's great!!! :)

that cat is too darling!! love the stars too...the whole thing is stunning! thanks for sharing.

Originally Posted by barbsbus

I like to do my paper piecing transfering the patterns on muslin and then I do not have to work about getting the paper off the back.
I will post a picture of my first attempt at paper piecing. I love to do it and it is messy with the trimming but worth it.

i love the bird one. i just ordered a book with pieced birds in it. i wonder if those are the same birds. i'm going to try a blue jay quilt for my nephew whose name is Jay.

thanks for sharing.